Andhra Pradesh is facing a fresh cyclone threat just days after Cyclone Arnab damaged coastal districts, with a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal forecast to intensify and bring heavy to very heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong winds from November 1 to 3. The India Meteorological Department said the system could reach the west-central Bay of Bengal near the Andhra Pradesh coast by Monday evening, November 2.
The well-marked low-pressure area was located over the southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Andaman Sea on October 31. According to the IMD forecast cited in the report, it was likely to move west-northwestwards and concentrate into a depression before intensifying further into a cyclonic storm on November 1.
The system is expected to continue moving west-northwestwards towards the Andhra Pradesh coast. Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam and Rayalaseema may experience thunderstorms accompanied by lightning. Strong winds of 30-40 kmph, with gusts reaching 50 kmph at isolated places, are also likely on November 1.
The heaviest rainfall is forecast for November 2 and 3. Krishna, Guntur, NTR, Palnadu and Bapatla districts may receive heavy to very heavy rain, while Eluru, West Godavari, Prakasam, Nellore, Nandyal, Kadapa, Annamayya and Tirupati districts may receive heavy rainfall.
The forecast comes as coastal communities and farmers continue to deal with damage from Cyclone Arnab. Farmers remain concerned that another spell of severe weather could destroy standing crops that survived the earlier storm. The risk is particularly significant for agricultural areas where fields, access roads and local drainage systems may not yet have recovered from the previous disruption.
The forecast also places pressure on local administrations to monitor vulnerable areas across coastal and inland districts. Heavy rain and strong winds can affect road connectivity, power supply, agricultural operations and movement in exposed settlements, although the report does not provide details of district-wise evacuation plans, relief arrangements or infrastructure closures.
The IMD’s forecast indicates that the system’s track and intensity will determine the eventual impact along the coast. The next operational updates from the weather agency and responses from district administrations will establish whether warnings, protective measures or emergency arrangements need to be expanded before the system approaches the Andhra Pradesh coastline.
